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Photograph by David De Armas, Rubin Museum of Art, 2018.
Yama Dharmaraja
Photograph by David De Armas, Rubin Museum of Art, 2018.
Photograph by David De Armas, Rubin Museum of Art, 2018.

Yama Dharmaraja

OriginMongolia
Date19th century
Dimensions30 7/8 × 23 1/8 × 7/8 in.
MediumPigments on cloth
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin
Object numberC2003.50.10
Himalayan Art Resources Number1100
DescriptionThis painting depicts one of the primary protective deities of the Gelug tradition, which became popular in Mongolia after the Mongolian ruler Altan Khan (1507?–1582) invited a gifted Gelugpa monk to Mongolia in 1577. The monk, who taught and converted the khan, was given the Mongolian title Dalai Lama. As a protector (dharmapala), Yama is considered the defender of Gelug tradition in particular. The painting depicts him brandishing a skull club and a noose while standing on a buffalo. Below is another form of Yama who is armed with a chopper and a skull cup standing on a corpse. The top register depicts Tsongkapa, the founding teacher of the Gelug tradition and his two main disciples. The remaining figures are members of Yama’s retinue.
Not on view